Val

Dear Friends of Val

It's Lori once again.  It saddens me to inform everyone that Val passed away early this morning.  At the same time, I take comfort in knowing that she is finally at peace...it was a long, long struggle that she fought without complaint.  Pru said she went peacefully, as she had wished.  And how very like her to choose this day!
The outpouring of love for Val over these last few months has been astounding.  Especially in these last weeks, her room has almost always had someone there with her, and I know how she enjoyed hearing from everyone near and far.
Last week, the Val Hamilton teacher-librarian award was presented at the BCTLA conference.  All her work for our profession and learning conditions was mentioned, and Jim Iker was in attendance.  He took the time to visit Val the next day and personally thank her for all her important contributions. A real gentleman, for sure, and I know Val would be so pleased to have heard that conversation.
Thank you, everyone, for every little thing you did to enhance Val's life and final days.
She will be missed.

A Little Update

Hi Friends of Val,

It's Lori here, visiting Val, who is in a very deep slumber. We had agreed that I would come here today to update her facebook page...she would talk, and I would type!  However, she is dreaming and definitely not talking right now.  I visited last night, and she was really alert and very talkative.  I thought she looked great, but I'm guessing it was not a good night, since she is exactly as I left her 20 hours ago.

A nurse has been in to let her know that they will be moving her tomorrow (Thursday, Oct. 23) to Saint John Hospice out at UBC in the morning.  She really preferred it here at the Cancer Agency, and would rather have stayed here, but they gave her three hospice choices and UBC was the one she picked.  The address is 6389 Stadium Road.

She has been really appreciating all the visits, and even if she is sleeping, she loves to hear conversations, so just keep talkin'!

The pain medication is doing its job, and she and the nurses have a good proactive system going so there is not much breakthrough pain.  They get to it before it's out of control.  She also has a couple of infections going on, and is on antibiotics for those.  She's a little flushed and warm from the infection, so actually her colour seems good (although I know it's not good, really!)

I'll check in with her again shortly to see if she wants me to post anything else.

Still here

I am still in the BC Cancer Agency.  We've decides not to do any more treatment, so I'm palliative. No more radiation, chemo, poking and prodding.  Just being kept comfortable and out of pain.  Love my methadone and hydromorphone.   I'll probably move to a palliative place soon.  Right now I'm on an air bed and watch the mountains.  Lots of family and friends visiting.  Even a choir with Jan Alexander.  Many links between my circles.

New infection

Mae and Darline came together and left me mellow after more TT.

Then things went sideways. The nurse started washing me and realized it is infected where the lymph node tumour has broken threw at top of the leg.  Pretty intense for the next couple of hours.  Several nurses, pain and symptom management staff and doctors worked on cleaning the leg, groin and tumours. My meds have been changed a bit.  I'm in a sling that helps with moving me and get a fancy new bed tomorrow.

Dairy queen

Had a good visit with Matt.  Pru massaged my feet and cut the nails.  Boy, did that feel better.  John stayed for a while and shared drug stories.  We take several the same for similar reasons.

Pam dropped by between dinner and bingo at her Mom's.  I was just eating dinner when Maureen came up with some Dairy Queen soft ice cream.  I could feel my Dad watching.  Perfect.

Made some phone calls and caught up on my newspapers.

Top of my leg has hurt all night.  Glad when Lynne came in after her morning Radiation and did some TT.  Bit hard swallowing today.

Doing okay

Lots of visitors made the day go quickly.  They all bring something else to talk about and stay different lengths of time. Listened to the Loins lose and the Canucks win.

Feeling better each day.  The kitchen staff keep tempting me with what they think I will eat.  Today's nurse gave me a good wash.  I was ready for sleep again.

Bad days

My second chemo went well, bit thing started falling apart by Wednesy.  I was taking Methadone with Hydromorphone as a breakthrough.  My Bach was bad all day.  I finally woke up to a team working on me.  The nurse had found me barely breathing. I got 3 doses of Narcan.  Threw up a few times.  Pru was here and helped a lot with cold comprises and her soothing voice. 

The next few days I was pretty dopy and not eating.  I was still getting up to the bathroom,it barely going.  Yesterday I went to Radiaion for some setup CT Scan. Came back and the nurses decided I needed a catheter.  Five of them tried for 1 1/2 hours.  Everything was so swollen and painful.  Time togoback for Radiation with the really good porter, Deepak. Once I was set on the bed it went well.  Some pain at the end that improved when I was back on the stretcher.

A couple of doctors tried the catheter but had no luck.  Was throwing up due to the Radiation.  Finally, a urologist came from VGH with the right tools and had that litle sucker right in. 

Slept well and now not constipated.  

Karen came for a visit. Getting a lot more serious.  Looks like I won't be going home.  Chris and Yuriko brought me a wonderful shawl that Patience knit for me and we talked a bit about palliative. I think I'm ready for it.  We has a good visit.  Pru was next and helped set up for lunch.  I've eaten more today than I have for ages.  

It's taken hours to write this. 

Methadone

Mondays are busy here.  The physio had me walking.  It's not so much the pain as the tumours that bother me. They are all around my middle and press too much.

Karen came in and sent the pain doctor in. We're now switching to Methadone.  Sounds funny.

Lots of visitors. Darline did TT. Pru and Nellie came at noon, then Pam.  Lori dropped in,   She got home from Europe in the wee hours.

Fell asleep as soon as the hockey was done.

Another quiet Sunday

Had a couple of pain attacks.  Needed the hydromorphone a few times and patch was increased.  Wrapping my back and side in hot blankets helps.  My leg is still big.

Visits from Pru, Maureen, Patrick and Lucas.

Sunny Saturday

Another sleepy day.  A couple of bouts of pain but some hydromorphone and a hot blanket help.  It's always quiet here on the weekend.

Visits from Andrea (with drawings from the girls), Moira, Mary, Rick & Elaine and Pru.

Canucks

Can't watch the Canucks, but like listening on my iPad

Better day, but still really tired.  Slept last night as it was so quiet. Ate a bit more.  This morning's suppository worked.  Had a shower but needed help.  It's getting harder to get back into bed as my leg is so big.

Visitors: Louise, Pru, Darine, Maureen, Pam and Mary

Same old

Tired all day and food if not appealing to me.  Taking laxatives to no avail.  Suppository coming next.

Had a few visitors: Darline, Mary, Moira, Lucas and Candace.

My rommmate was moved last night I gather she was gardening last week and now she's dying.  Nice woman.

Fatigued

The main side effectfromthe chemo is fatigue.  Dozed most of the day.

Lynne, Ralph, Mae, Matt & Pru visited.  Too tired for more.

New chemo

Had a shower this morning.  Sure felt good but did me in.  Lynne and Ralph visited after her radiation, and the Mae for a bit.

My new chemo was injected while Pru was here.  No bad reaction.  Only takes a few minutes.  She brought me some Arrowroot.  Not eating much but doctor said not to worry.  Getting fluids through my port.

Lori called from Italy.  Just keeps adding countries.  I'm getting a roommate so have to go back to earphones.

Morning from hell

Had to have a MUGA scan of my heart to make sure I can tolerate more chemo.  The porter took me through the tunnels but we had come back when we hit a broken elevator.  He then pushed he along the sidewalk to the Emergency entrance.  It was drizzling, cold and bumpy. I had a couple of thin blankets  I had a big file on my lap that was hurting my leg.  The nurse gave mea pain killer just before I left, but I was crying in pain by the time we arrived.  A nurse ran over fom the Agency with another pill.  Everything calmed down enough for the test, just.  Luckily, the tech was great.  I then had another wet, bumpy ride back.

Lynne Keeling came in just as I got back into bed.  Haven't seen her for years.  We visited for a bit and then she did Therapeutic Touch.  That, along with a hot blanket on my feet and another pain killer, calmed me down and I dozed the morning away.

I had missed breakfast and just nibbled at lunch.  The food isn't appetizing and is cold.

Karen came in with her new plan.  I'm starting Eribulin.  We've decided on a DNR so Matt won't have to pull a plug.  The pain patch has been doubled again and theY said to stop being stoic.

Busy afternoon.  Pru and Matt arrived together.  Pam brought a tea and then Pat stopped by.  Next was Ildi & Barb   Was pretty tired.

Long day.

Shower

The nurse took me to a shower room and I gave myself a shower while she changed my bed.  It fel wonderful.

Pretty painful day.  I can now have as much hydromorphone as I want.  A resident came to check me in the evening.  My blood pressure is really low 56 over 44.

Pru and Matt visited in the morning.  Darline came just as the Seahawks game started.  One person I didn't mind giving up the first half for.

Shaky day

Had a painful night and had have painkillers a couple of times.  Was constipated because of them and now have the opposite.  Dozed a lot today.

A doctor looked at my swollen leg and wants an ultrasound to rule out blood clots.

Georgina, Marilyn & Anni cam to visit. Always good to see old friends.

Feeling pretty crappy tonight.

New stage

Better night.  Sure have slept a lot.  Had a roommate for a few minutes.  No English, groaning in pain, unable to stand and lots of relatives.  She got moved to a room by herself.

Karen came in the afternoon.  She says I've moved into a new stage of my cancer.  The plan is get the pain under control, so the patch was removed and a new one is double the dose.  Still need other painkillers until it kicks in.  We're stopping the chemo as it isn't working.  My tumour markers are up to 300.  It was down to around 20.  She's going to think about the next move until Monday.  I might have chemo in here to see if I can tolerate it.

Ate a bit at all the meals.  The laxative worked!   Had visits from Matt, Mae, Pru & Jesse and Pam.  Sarah spent, one of my social workers, an hour with me.  Getting good care.

Pain and sleep

Breakfast was pancakes, fruit and cereal.  Ate a bit of everything.  Had to fast until my afternoon ultrasound.  CT Scan of my head was first and it was fine.  Hurt a lot lying on the table.  9 out of 10.  Got to rest before the ultrasound but it didn't hurt as much.  Karen came to see me while I was away so she'll come back today.

Now have a Fentanyl patch for the pain. Needed Gravol for my gut.  Slept. Woke long enough to eat some dinner and then back to sleep for the night.  

Hospital

Matt came for me this morning - my hero!  He took out the garbage and some recycling before taking me to the Cancer Agency for a blood test.  I looked shaky enough that they put me in a wheelchair.  I hurt and and exertion caused me to gasp for breaths.

We then went to Fairmont to see Karen.  She was not impressed!  Found a bed in the Cancer Agency but I had to wait until 3:30.  Matt took me back to the 6th floor loung and I sat in the recliner and sipped tea.

I'm in a double room on the 5th floor and am on my 2nd bag of blood.  I've already had a couple of bags of fluid and another is waiting, along with a small one of magnesium.  They did a chest X-rea and it was fine.  Next will be a head CT and an ultrasound of my abdomen.  I'm being given hydromorphone more often.

I was anemic, dehydrated, had low magnesium and the kidneys weren't working properly.  I'm still in pain from the tumours (which have mutated to triple negative).  My gut is upset, but I managed some dinner - chicken breast, gravy, peas & carrots, salad and carrot cake.  Ate a bit of everything which was more than I've managed for a couple of days.  Way better than VGH food.

Mae and Sarah came for short visits.  I made a point of going over and introducing myself to my roomie, but she hasn't talked to me.  Glad all her loud visitors have gone.  Free WiFi and free TV!

Bad

Still feeling bad and not eating much.  Early to bed again.

Groceries

Went to bed at 9:30 as I just couldn't stay up.  Poor night again but didn't get up until 8:00.  My stomach upset all day and sore.  

Pam and Maureen came and took my prescription for hydromorphone to Safeway but it expired yesterday.  Didn't notice it was only good for 5 days.  They'll talk to the doctor tomorrow and deliver it.  They came back with a load of groceries.  My angels,

No geocaching for me tomorrow.  I just have to get to the doctor on Wednesday and see if I'm strong enough for chemo on Thursday.  

Still sickly

Didn't go out today.  Must try tomorrow as I need food and pills.  My stomach is upset and I'm really tired.  Fell asleep in the afternoon.  Last night was hard as it hurt no matter how I lay.

Bit better

Went to bed early and got lots of sleep.  Still shaky and my gut is upset.

Watched us lose the tennis doubles and soccer game.  Hope Lions hold on for a win.  Trying to stay up until the end.

Still beat

Tried having a shower this morning and have to get right out and lie down for a bit.  Really tired and stomach upset.  Slept well, but still needed naps.

Keyboard decided to work and I got everything I wanted on my new tablet.  Still a bit cranky.

So tired

Didn't have the energy to do anything today.  Just pitiful.  Only time I moved quickly was to go yo the bathroom.  Not constipated anymore.

My new tablet won't recognize the keyboard, so I have to take it back.

London Drugs

Pam came by with my handicapped card that I'd left behind yesterday.  I continued out to Richmond and the London Drugs at Ironwood.  I haven't shopped for ages and had a list.  Found almost everything.  Had to ask for directions a few times.  So different from Canadian Tire - there are always people to help.  Finally ended up in Computers and asked for a chair. The fellow went into the back and brought one out.  He then explained Apple TV and helped pick out an Asus Transformer Book.  It will replace my netbook that is soooo slow.  I'd done my homework and it was on sale hee.

When I got home, I sent a comment to London Drugs about the superb service and got this back

Thank you for taking the time to write to us regarding the level of service you received from our staff in our Ironwood location.  
Your comments are appreciated and have been brought to the attention of the Store Manager and appropriate Head Office personnel. In addition, a letter of commendation will be sent to the staff, congratulating them on the exceptional customer service they provided you.
We value the patronage of our customers and hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the near future with the same high level of service.

I was really beat.  It was all I could do to get upstairs.  I have been falling asleep ever since.  Don't think I'll go out tomorrow.  I'm charging the tablet but will leave the Apple TV for a bit.  

Pain & Sympton Management

Geocaching with Pam and Maureen.  We stayed in Vancouver today.  Only logged three, but one was a puzzle that had been on my map for a long time and one was a first to find, my 14th.  We had a great lunch at Martini's on Broadway.   For $10, we had split pea soup, a salad, fries and two big pieces of veal cutlet.  I brought some home for dinner.

They dropped me off for an hour at the Cancer Agency for my first appointment with Pain & Sympton Management.  Met with a nurse and then a doctor.  She is changing how I'm dealing with pain.  I'm dropping the Tylenol 3’s - won't miss the constipation.  I'm now taking hydromorphone in the morning and at bedtime.  Was in pain all day, so hope this improves it.  She said the extreme fatigue of the last few days is certainly the radiation. 

Almost went shopping

Planned to go out today, but ended up sticking close to the bathroom.  One extreme to another. Imodium works!

Watched tennis and read, in between falling asleep.  I checked and I don't have chemo this week. They must have given me an extra week off to recover.  Not complaining.

Appointment confusion

Lori called on FaceTime from Europe.  Love talking face to face with no cost.  She has caches in 11 countries in 10 days and might add a couple more.

Slept well but still fell asleep this afternoon.  Stayed in as I'm pretty tired.  Was adding the last appointment cards to my calendar and I think this week's doctor and chemo might have been cancelled.  Maybe I was given an extra week off due to the radiation.  I'll call in the morning.

Brunch

Met Matt, Andrea, Sadie & Lily at the White Spot at 11:00 this morning.  Finally gave Ily her birthday present a few weeks late.  Had Southwest Chorizo Hash (Chorizo sausage sautéed with vegetables, Cheddar & Jack cheese & our signature smashbrown potatoes topped with two poached eggs. Served with salsa, cilantro sour cream & toast).   There was enough to take home for tonight's supper.   

Was so tired, I went straight home.  Think yesterday is catching up to me.  Had a long nap before dinner.  My back feels scabbed where they did the radiation.  Slathered on some cream.  

Biopsy

My day was so long, I booked Freemasons.  I was picked up at 9:30 and returned home at 4:30.  First up was an ultrasound of my groin.  The doctor came in and decided to biopsy the tumours on my abdomen instead as they were really sticking out.  She froze the skin, made a little slit and used a tool that made a loud click to take 4 samples.  The hardest part was lying on the hard bed.  My back was really hurting.  The radiologist, Dr. Helena O’Dwyer, was great and explained every step.  She was a bit worried about needing, given my poor blood counts, but it wasn't a problem.  

Then on to meet with Dr. Voduc, my radiation oncologist and his team.  He decided to radiate the tumours on my lower right back and on the side.  He didn't need a CT Scan as they were so prominent.  They marked me up with felts and took photos.  He hopes this might help to shrink the leg.

On to lunch in the cafeteria and then the 6th floor waiting room so I could make some tea.  Was pretty comfortable and had lots to read on my iPad and Kobo.  

Returned to the 2nd floor for radiation.  I was able to lie on my right side for both the sections they were aiming at.  Took a while for them to line up the machine to hit the marks.  Once the machine starts, it doesn't take long and you don't feel anything. 

I was back in the lobby at 3:00, but Freemasons were short a couple of drivers.  I always have something to read, so didn't mind at all.  

Feeling tired and a bit sore tonight.  I can hear my mouse squeaking.  He doesn't go for the traps.  I'll deal with it tomorrow.  Correction: the two on the sticky traps are what I hear.  

Busy day

What a busy day.  The Cancer Agency called to say I was having an ultrasound and biopsy tomorrow and needed blood tests today.  Pam an Maureen picked me up at 10 and dropped me at the Lifelabs on Granville.  The morning rush was over and I got in right away.  The order had been faxed.  My veins were "small", but the woman found one quickly.  We headed to East Van to get some caches off our maps.

We were nearby, so stopped at SPARC BC in Burnaby and I got a new handicapped tag with no trouble.  Found a few more caches in Burnaby and had lunch at Nando's on Kingsway.  Always tasty chicken and I had enough to bring home for dinner.   Found more caches in Central Park and along the river.  I sat in the shade with my book and really enjoyed being out on such a beautiful day.  I was home before 4:00.

A doctor from the Agency called because my numbers were so low.  He kept asking if I had a fever, but I don't.  He was pleased I'd been out all day.  I'm to keep checking and must call if I hit 38.  It,s 37 right now and I feel fine.  He also said to gargle with baking soda and I should have known that if I'd looked at the info sheets I've been given.  It does feel better right now.  I wonder if they'll do the biopsy?   Just shows that I've been right in avoiding germy crowds.  Must go to IHOP for liver when I can chew again.

Expired

Went to a Richmond mall for some Chinese takeout.  Enough for lunch and dinner.  A security guard was at my car and pointed out that my handicapped tag expired in March.  I had it in my head that it was good until 2015.  Luckily, she was very nice and believed me (maybe).   Will get a new one tomorrow.

Have a sore on my tongue and my fingertips are getting numb.  Small side effects in the greater scheme of things.

No school

Christie Clark is determined to break the BCTF.  She is hiding from everyone as it plays out.  We now have a dictatorship in BC. The Legislature seldom meets and the electorate is ignored.

Felt better today, but took it easy.  Slept part of the afternoon.